Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Reflections

Mullens roost site is always beautiful on a high tide. Kayaking in there when there is no wind is especially beautiful. The bay is very shallow and covered with saltmarsh plants which gradually go underwater as the tide comes in. The birds retreat from the tide until they are roosting up against the higher vegetation.Saltmarsh plants are low growing and small shorebirds - such as these Lesser Sand Plovers - can be very hard to see amongst the plants. Several of these birds are beginning to show breeding colors. They get a dark red color down their front and around the neck.Some of the birds continue to hunt around for food while the water comes around the plants. The birds and the plants make perfect reflections in the still water. These are also Lesser Sand Plovers not yet showing breeding colors.These Red-necked Stint were perfectly posed around the small plants.This post is for World Bird Wednesday.

Hi MickGood shot of the Canoe. I assume you had got out and waded ashore to take the other shots.Not familiar with your Lesser Sand Plovers. Obviously preparing to depart.On that point, I can assure JoCo that many of our waders do migrate, but they go north to Asia and even Alaska (circling the Pacific).Stewart M knows far more about that than I do - he's a Bird Bander.CheersDenis

That is one heck of a kayak! I don't thimk I've ever seen a bow designed in quite that way. I wonder, what is it's function? Thanks for a splendid tour of the sandy straits through your great photographs!

Thanks to all for commenting. The water was only inches deep around the kayak but the reflections were so good you can't tell that. I think I should do a post asap about the flyway where the migratory shorebirds travel.

Hi everyone again - to answer a couple of questions about my kayak - the makers - Viking - list it as both a kayak and an ocean ski - so it can be used in the surf. I like both its length and speed and still find that it is plenty stable enough for me to sit in it and use my camera.